NCERT’s New Textbook Embraces Historical Accuracy: Harappan Society Recognized as the ‘Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilization’ for Class 6 Students
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What can be termed a major step toward historical accuracy and cultural recognition, NCERT is bringing out a new Social Science textbook for Class 6 that refers to the Harappan society as the ‘Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilization’. This will help students learn comprehensively about one of the oldest and most advanced civilizations in the Indian subcontinent.
According to the NCERT textbook, the Harappan society is now known as ‘Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilization’. That is for the rectification of historical inaccuracies and for cultural adjustment. The earlier nomenclature ‘Harappan civilization’ was based on one site, Harappa. It overlooks the vast area that this ancient civilization covered between the Indus and Sarasvati river valleys.
The old textbook does not refer to the drying up of the river as being among the reasons behind the decline of the Harappan cities – it says that some scholars suggest that the rivers dried up, others suggest that there was deforestation, and in some areas there were floods.
The background history and cultural aspects of the Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilization, in a revised book, are dealt with in detail. The urban planning, trade networks, agriculture practice, art, architecture, and social structure of the same were explained. It expresses its wish to see that, while detailing on these accomplishments and contributions, a sense of pride and appreciation is etched in the minds of young learners respecting India’s rich culture.
The Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilization, or the Harappan civilization, dates back to some 4,500 years ago in the Indus and Sarasvati river valleys. This civilization is one of the earliest urban civilizations in the world, with its well-planned cities, highly advanced drainage systems, and a writing system still undeciphered. Its business acumen was extremely skilled, and its extensive trade networks reached as far as Mesopotamia; it belonged to a thriving culture.
The Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilization showed outstanding cultural and technological advancement. According to the textbook, this civilization has mastered bronze metallurgy, pottery making with complex designs, and implemented a perfect system of weight and measures. In addition, this book further shows their religious beliefs in goddesses like Mother Goddess. It had ritual bathing platforms called ‘Great Baths’.
One of the exciting features of the Indus Valley Civilization is that it has unleashed innumerable, well-planned cities like Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, and Dholavira. These cities have thrown light on the urban planning, sanitation system, and social organization of ancient civilization. The book virtually takes the students on a journey across these lost cities to show their architectural marvels and to make them realize the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.
The NCERT book for Class 6 introduces the Harappan society as the ‘Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilization’, which is a very important step toward historical accuracy and cultural inclusivity. Keeping this in view, the textbook aims to build thorough and comprehensive knowledge of this ancient civilization among students so that a sense of pride and appreciation toward this rich cultural heritage of India forms in their minds. It speaks much to the commitment of our institutions of learning to ensure correct narratives of history are promoted and that a deeper understanding of our joint heritage becomes possible in the first place.
